SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has raised concerns that a growing conflict between the Himachal Director General of Police (DGP) and the Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) may be impeding progress in the Vimal Negi death investigation.
The high court made these remarks while hearing arguments from all parties involved in the Vimal Negi death case. The body of the former Chief Engineer of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL) was found from Gobind Sagar dam in Bilaspur several days after he had gone missing earlier this year.
High court reserves order on family’s demand for CBI probe
The court noted that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, questioning the effectiveness of the ongoing investigation amid internal discord between senior police officials.
After hearing arguments on the investigation reports submitted by the DGP, Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Omkar Sharma, the high court has reserved its order on whether to transfer the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A final decision is expected within the next couple of days.
The Advocate General urged the court to allow the state more time, assuring that the special investigation team (SIT) is conducting a thorough and impartial inquiry. He stated that the report by the ACS (Home) was not conclusive and mainly focused on allegations against top officials of HP Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL), rather than the broader circumstances surrounding Negi’s death.
SP defends SIT probe, opposes CBI takeover
Appearing personally before the high court, SP Shimla Sanjeev Gandhi argued that the SIT is diligently examining all aspects of the case. He explained that since Vimal Negi’s death occurred in Bilaspur, beyond Shimla’s jurisdiction, the initial investigation fell outside their purview. Only after the New Shimla police registered an FIR did the SIT take over the probe.
The SIT recovered a pen drive from a member of the original investigating team and has sent it for forensic analysis. Gandhi urged the court to maintain faith in the police investigation, warning that transferring the case to the CBI would demoralise the state police force.
Sunil Chadha
